For centuries, practitioners of Chinese medicine have used Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) for immunity support, and now others across the globe are catching onto this herb's power. As one of the three herbs in our take on Yu Ping Feng San (Immunity Support) we wanted to get a better idea of what makes this herb so powerful when it comes to building immunity.
Your Greatest Defense
The immune system is our body’s greatest barrier against illness causing infections and toxins. Comprised of the spleen, the thymus gland, bone marrow, and an extensive network of lymph nodes, it works as a defense mechanism against unwanted pathogens, viruses, and bacteria.
A healthy immune system is vital when combating sickness, but keeping it strong and able even in times of health is a smart move - this way, when the seasons change, or that unexpected cold shows up, your body is primed to kick the defense up a notch.
We’re all familiar with the standard ways of keeping our body healthy and happy - proper sleep, regular exercise, healthy diet, smart lifestyle choices - and these cannot be touted enough; they make all the difference!
Going a bit deeper, however, you can find alternative immunity replenishing modalities that further bolster your system’s strength. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has been studying and using herbal remedies for thousands of years with incredible results. Tapping into this safe, natural wisdom allows each organ to activate its most natural fighting capability.
Now for the Science...
At the forefront of immunity building is the Astragalus Root. The root, known as Huang Qi in Chinese, is a "legume". Widespread in China, it is grows natively in Korea and Mongolia. With its purple flowers, sweet taste, and warming effect, it is commonly used in Chinese medicine alone or in combination with other herbs to promote immune responses within the body.
There are three key components that work to our advantage when using Astragalus: flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides. These are each phytochemical - biologically active compounds found only in plants. They serve as anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory in nature.
These three active properties have been found to destroy cancer cells, prevent the progression of HIV, and combat respiratory diseases and muscle damage. Aside from traditional disease, Astragalus has also been used to fight the stress hormone cortisol, and alleviate side effects of chemotherapy.
Bringing Astragalus Into Your Routine
Astragalus Root can be found in most health food stores, and used in teas, taken in a capsule, or even sprinkled over foods or mixed into your smoothie - but as with most herbs, it's so much more effective when paired with complementary herbs like in our Immunity Support formula, which comes easily accessible as a powder that dissolves into a glass of water. Time to strengthen that energy!
Ready To Try The Power of Astragalus?
Enjoy the immunity boost from Astragalus Root, Siler Root, and Atractylodes to give this cold and flu season a good fight.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, mitigate or cure any disease or symptom.
Caroline Joan Peixoto is a writer born in New Jersey. Since then, she’s lived in Portugal, Rwanda, California, and Colorado, where she currently lives with her photographer boyfriend and wild African dingo. She’s continually inspired by travel and history, and energized by simple living. Connect with her @carolinejoan or caroline@mydaolabs.com
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